Planned roadwork on the Capital Beltway around the Woodrow Wilson Bridge will cause severe delays this weekend if drivers do not use alternate routes, transportation officials warned Thursday.

The work, which is part of the mammoth Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, will cause lane closures lasting from tonight until just before Monday morning’s rush hour begins.

“Traffic could be backed up for 10 miles on the inner loop if motorists do not avoid the area,” project spokeswoman Michelle Holland said.

On the Virginia side of the bridge, the Beltway’s inner loop (Interstate 95 South) will be reduced to one lane at 9 tonight until early Saturday morning between Route 1 and Telegraph Road. One lane of the outer loop will also be closed during this time. From early Saturday morning until as late as 5 a.m. Monday, two lanes of the inner loop will be open.

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The closures are not as significant in Maryland. The outer loop will be reduced to one lane between I-295 and Maryland 210 from 9 tonight until early Saturday morning, but all lanes should be open after that.

Several exit ramps will be closed on both sides of the bridge. Detour signs will be posted to guide motorists who would normally use the closed ramps.

During the closures, work crews will shift lanes so vehicles will begin traveling on newly constructed sections of the Beltway leading to and from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Though the work will disrupt weekend travel, area transportation advocates believe the long-term benefits justify the weekend delays.

“The sooner the project is completed, the sooner people will save a lot of time moving through that region,” said Bob Chase, executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance. “When you’re constructing a project of this magnitude, lane closures and delays are inevitable.”

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com